NFL Player News

Higgins finished without a catch on eight targets in Sunday's 24-3 loss to the Browns.

After failing to work out a contract extension with the Bengals prior to the season, Higgins started this potential contract year with a goose egg. Higgins was blanked on three first-half targets as Joe Burrow threw for just 36 yards and the Bengals took a 10-0 deficit into the locker room. Things didn't get any better after halftime, as Burrow finished with just 82 yards and Higgins remained catch-less. Higgins topped 1,000 yards in each of the previous two seasons, so he's likely to shake off this clunker in Week 2 against the Ravens.

Olave recorded eight receptions on 10 targets for 112 yards in Sunday's 16-15 win over the Titans.

Even with both Rashid Shaheed and Michael Thomas playing a significant role in the offense, Olave turned in a strong start to his sophomore season. His performance was highlighted by a 45-yard catch and run early in the second half when he found a soft spot in the middle of the Titans' secondary on a crossing route. He supplemented that with additional receptions in intermediate areas of the field, helping him top 100 receiving yards -- a feat he accomplished three times as a rookie. Olave should remain a focus of the offense heading into a Week 2 matchup against the Panthers.

Evans secured six of 10 targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the Buccaneers' 20-17 win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Evans finished as the team leader in receptions, receiving yards and targets, helping Baker Mayfield author an upset victory on the road in his first official game as future Hall of Famer Tom Brady's successor. The multi-time Pro Bowl receiver, who was unable to come to terms on a contract extension with the Buccaneers before the start of the season, recorded an impressive 28-yard touchdown grab with just over a minute left in the first half to begin Tampa Bay's comeback from a 10-3 deficit. Evans should naturally remain one of Mayfield's top targets throughout the season, and he'll have a chance to work with his new quarterback at home for the first time in what could be a favorable Week 2 matchup against the Bears.

Samuel caught five of seven targets for 55 yards and rushed twice for eight yards in Sunday's 30-7 win over the Steelers.

Samuel finished one target shy of Brandon Aiyuk's team lead, but Aiyuk caught all eight of those targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns to pace San Francisco's passing game. Aiyuk, Samuel, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey combined for 26 targets while the rest of San Francisco's offense accounted for only two. Those four major contributors should all have certain weeks in which they shine, and it was Aiyuk's and McCaffrey's (169 scrimmage yards, one TD) turn in Week 1. Samuel could have his number called more often against the Rams in Week 2.

Jones caught five of seven targets for 55 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Colts.

Calvin Ridley was the top target for Trevor Lawrence in the Jaguars' opener, but Jones also thrived and highlighted his performance with an 18-yard TD catch late in the second quarter. The 28-year-old wideout is coming off a career-best campaign in 2022, his first season in Jacksonville, and while Ridley's presence could make it tough for Jones to match the 121 targets he saw last year, he still figures to be productive. He'll look to build on this performance in a Week 2 clash with Kansas City.

Aiyuk caught all eight of his targets for 129 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 30-7 win over the Steelers.

Aiyuk capped San Francisco's first possession of the season with an eight-yard touchdown catch, then made a contested catch with cornerback Patrick Peterson draped all over him in the front corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He accounted for both of Brock Purdy's touchdown passes as the 49ers excelled in all phases in Week 1. Aiyuk had 1,015 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022, so he's already a quarter of the way to last season's TD total heading into a Week 2 road game against the Rams.

Hopkins recorded seven receptions on 13 targets for 65 yards in Sunday's 16-15 loss to the Saints.

Hopkins got acclimated to the Tennessee offense quickly, as he was targeted on 38.2 percent of Ryan Tannehill's pass attempts. His efficiency was a different story, and he averaged only five yards per target while managing long gains of 16, 15 and 12 yards. Treylon Burks should see his role grow as the season moves forward, but Hopkins is clearly the top target in the Titans' offense.

Kirk caught one of three targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Colts.

Calvin Ridley wound up being Trevor Lawrence's favorite downfield target in the Jaguars' opener, leaving little volume left over for Kirk. It's an ominous sign for the former Cardinal as he tries to repeat his breakout 2022 campaign, but Kirk's established chemistry with Lawrence should serve him well as secondaries begins to focus more on shutting down Ridley. Kirk will look to make a bigger impact in a Week 2 clash with Kansas City.

Jefferson secured nine of 12 targets for 150 yards in the Vikings' 20-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Jefferson's explosive numbers were thoroughly unsurprising, although the fact they came in a low-scoring loss was somewhat unexpected. The star wideout comfortably recorded game-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals, with the Buccaneers unable to find any answer for him. About the only blemishes on Jefferson's afternoon were the absence of a touchdown and the fact he was targeted just once over the Vikings' final two drives, which both stalled at three plays. Jefferson may be hard-pressed to replicate his season-opening performance Week 2, as Minnesota travels to face the Eagles on Thursday night.

Ridley caught eight of 11 targets for 101 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Colts.

Playing in his first NFL game since Oct. 2021, Ridley made an immediate impact as he caught four passes on the Jaguars' first scoring drive, including a nine-yard TD toss from Trevor Lawrence. The former Falcon ended up being Lawrence's top target, and Ridley doesn't seem to have lost a step at all despite his long layoff. Next up for Jacksonville is a Week 2 clash with a Kansas City defense that had trouble slowing down Amon-Ra St. Brown in a Week 1 loss to the Lions.